Jeff Coors Honored with Zebulon Pike Leadership Award

Thursday, December 06, 2012 at 3:50 AM

Centennial Institute honored Colorado businessman and philanthropist Jeffrey H. Coors with its annual accolade for contributions by a conservative, the Zebulon Pike Award for Colorado Leadership in Fidelity to Jeffersonian Principles, Tuesday evening at a Christmas reception in Denver.

The Colorado Christian University think tank convened many of its major donors and policy fellows to pay tribute to Coors, who returned the compliment by stating in his acceptance speech that America's best hope lies not in politics as usual, but in the renewal of character such as sought by Centennial Institute in the public square and by CCU in its educational mission.

"The Jeffersonian principles of limited government and individual freedom, including life and liberty endowed by our Creator, are as vital for our country in 2012 as when he first articulated them with the Declaration of Independence in 1776," said John Andrews, director of the Centennial Institute. "We are delighted to recognize Jeff Coors for his life achievement in helping build institutions that summon Coloradans and all Americans back to those principles."

The Zebulon Pike Award citation reads in part: “Never out of sight in our wanderings” was Captain Pike’s salute to the great peak he discovered in 1806 when exploring the West for President Jefferson. Centennial Institute salutes the conservative leaders of today who stand tall in exemplifying freedom and responsibility for all Coloradans. The award was originated in 2011, with former Colorado Senate Minority Leader Mike Kopp as the first recipient.